Havdalah: Concluding Shabbat
The Havdalah ceremony creates a gradual transition between the sacred and the mundane. It helps us move from the otherworldly Shabbat of holiness and rest back into the “Six days you shall labor” – because the work and creative energy of the weekdays also have their place. Havdalah is recited after Shabbat or the holiday has officially come to an end.
E-Learning
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What Is Havdalah?
This thorough article from Chabad.org provides a comprehensive introduction to the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat, including an outline of the ritual, an exploration of the deep spiritual meaning behind
Havdalah – Taking Leave of Shabbat: An Introduction & Guide
This thorough article from My Jewish Learning provides a basic outline of the Havdalah ritual that concludes Shabbat, along with an explanation of the meaning behind it, step-by-step written and
What is Havdalah and Why is it Important?
In this 3 and a half minute long video, Dayan Ivan Binstock explains the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat, including the basic structure of the ritual as well as its important
The Significance of Fire in Judaism
This excerpt notes the universally recognized power of fire, as well as its particular significance in Jewish ritual, such as lighting Shabbat and Hannukah candles and the Havdalah ceremony. It
Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on Havdalah (Plus How To, Text & Audio)
Great for beginners, this thorough excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik offers an explanation of the structure and meaning behind the ritual, a step-by-step how-to guide of the Orthodox
The Mystical Meaning of Havdalah
In this almost 14 minute long video, Rabbi Alon Anava delves into some of the mystical reasons behind the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat. He explains the custom of rubbing
Be the Light: The Power of Fire in Judaism
Fire plays an essential role in Jewish ritual, from lighting candles to welcome Shabbat and holidays, during the Havdalah ceremony, on Hannukah, and on the anniversary of a loved one’s
Havdalah 101
This thorough article from Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat, including an introduction to the basic structure of the ritual, the meaning behind it, and variations
JOFA: The Women’s Role in Kiddush, HaMotzi & Havdallah
The following excerpt from the article “Halachot of Kiddush, HaMotzi and Havdalah, printed by The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance (JOFA), illustrates how women and men are equally obligated to participate
Music
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BBYO Sings Debbie Friedman’s Havdalah
This 3 and a half minute long video features song leaders of the BBYOÂ youth group singing the Reform version of the Havdalah ceremony to the popular melody composed by Jewish
“The Candle and Spices” – Traditional Yemenite Havdalah Song
This low quality 3 minute long video features Achinoam Nini singing a beautiful a capella version of the Yemenite song “The Candle and Spices,” traditionally sung at the Yemenite Havdalah ceremony.
Nava Tehila: A Serene Havdalah
This calming melody for the Havdalah ceremony was composed by The Nava Tehila Ensemble, a Jerusalem-based group who perform both original and traditional music that draws on Jewish, Israeli and
Havdalah Medley Using Many Popular Melodies
This link presents a beautiful 7 minute long musical Havdalah medley that switches between many well known tunes. The opening paragraph “hine el yeshua’ati” is sung to the traditional melody
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach’s Melody for the Opening Verses of Havdalah
This 5 minute long audio recording features Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach singing his original melody for “Hiney El Yeshuati,” the opening verses of the Havdalah ceremony. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (1925-1994), also known as the “Singing
The Maccabeats & Netanel Hershtik Make Havdalah
This 5 minute long video presents The Maccabeats & Netanel Hershtik singing havdalah to two popular melodies. The opening paragraph “hine el yeshua’ati” is sung to the traditional melody from the
What Else?
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A Havdalah Poem
This short poem by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat is inspired by the Havdalah ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of a new week. The poem encourages readers
A Havdalah Prayer for Holy Separations
This poem by Trisha Arlin is praise for the things between which we separate, as well as the separation itself. Inspired by the Havdalah ceremony that distinguishes between the holiness
The Cup of Miriam Ceremony for Havdalah
This ceremony over a cup of water can be added to Havdalah, symbolizing the miraculous source of fresh water that accompanied the Israelites in the desert. Known as “Miriam’s Well,”
Blessing Over Separations: A Havdalah Poem
This poem by Shelby Handler focuses on the power and beauty of the special space created by distinguishing between two things. Written as a prayer to God, with emotive language
An Alternative Havdalah Ceremony Celebrating Jewish Diversity
This post provides a link to “Havdalah: A Celebration of Difference,” an alternative ceremony written by Rabbi Leila Gal Berner to emphasize the idea of pluralism within the Jewish community.
A Humorous Skit About Havdalah Stereotypes
This short video playfully pokes fun at different stereotypical behaviors associated with the Havdalah ceremony, such as “The Mumbler,” who mutters the entire ceremony quickly under his breath and “The
Rituals & Ceremonies
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Orthodox Ashkenazi Havdalah Ceremony (Audio & Text)
These resources from Aish.com present the audio and Hebrew, English, and transliterated text of the Havdalah ceremony, according to Orthodox Ashkenazi custom and pronunciation. The four blessings are preceded by biblical
Reconstructionist Havdalah and the Concept of Chosenness
This post includes the Hebrew and English text of the Havdalah ceremony according to Reconstructionist tradition, as well as an explanation of the variations from the traditional text. To hear an
Yemenite Havdalah (Hebrew)
This short audio recording presents the Yemenite Baladi custom for the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat. Nusach Baladi uses a unique Yemenite pronunciation of Hebrew, which some scholars regard as the
Reform Havdalah (Text & Audio)
This straightforward post presents the Reform tradition for the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat, including an audio recording that uses Jewish American singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman‘s popular melody and the full Hebrew,
Edot Hamizrach/Sephardic Havdalah (with Hebrew text)
This 2 minute long video demonstrates the Nusach Edot Hamizrach Havdalah commonly used by Jews of Sephardic and Mizrahi heritage. The Hebrew blessing is recited quickly, using a subtle chanting
Moroccan Havdalah
In this 6 and a half minute long video, Israeli singer of Jewish hymns, Moshe Louk, leads the Havdalah ceremony according to the custom of Moroccan Jewry. A unique feature in
Reconstructionist Havdalah with Masculine & Feminine God Language
This post presents the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the Reconstructionist Havdalah ceremony, where each of the four blessings is displayed twice – once using feminine God-language and once
Traditional Practices - Learn How
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How to Perform the Orthodox Ashkenazi Havdalah Ceremony
This 3 and a half minute long video demonstrates how to perform the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbbat. Narrated by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, the video
How to Perform the Reform Havdalah Ceremony
In this 6 and a half minute long video, Rabbi Katie Bauman provides meaningful explanations and practical instructions for how to perform the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat. This video demonstrates the Reform
Friday Night & Beyond: Insights on Havdalah (Plus How To, Text & Audio)
Great for beginners, this thorough excerpt from “Friday Night and Beyond” by Lori Palatnik offers an explanation of the structure and meaning behind the ritual, a step-by-step how-to guide of the Orthodox
How to Perform Havdalah According to Nusach Yerushalmi
This 5:40 minute long instructional video (in Hebrew with partial English subtitles) demonstrates how to perform the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat according to an interesting mixture of customs. It
How to Make Orthodox Ashkenazi Havdalah (Printable PDF)
This two-page instructional guide provides a clear step-by-step explanation of how to perform the Havdalah ceremony that concludes Shabbat. Complete with the Hebrew, English and transliterated texts of the blessing,
Havdalah – Taking Leave of Shabbat: An Introduction & Guide
This thorough article from My Jewish Learning provides a basic outline of the Havdalah ritual that concludes Shabbat, along with an explanation of the meaning behind it, step-by-step written and
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